‘The robust health of the external sector has been underscored by a 16th trade surplus in 18 months, picking up where better-than-expected first-quarter growth left off. Australia’s economy recorded a $977 million surplus in April, close to the $1 billion result the market was looking for. The trade report also shows an upwardly revised surplus for March of $1.7 billion from $1.5 billion. On Wednesday, the national accounts revealed that GDP accelerated the most in seven quarters, rising 1 per cent in the March quarter for an annual growth rate of 3.1 per cent.’